The Knicks retained J.R. Smith’s brother, Chris Smith, on their 15-man roster, releasing rehabbing injured 6-foot-10 forward prospect Jeremy Tyler in a surprise move. However, coach Mike Woodson and Tyler’s agent said he still could re-sign with the Knicks after he gets healthy.

On Wednesday, Woodson said “respect” for J.R. Smith would be a factor in weighing whether to keep Chris Smith, who played just 20 minutes during the preseason and shot 1-of-7.

Chris Smith was asked Friday, before the Knicks preseason finale, an 85-83 loss to Charlotte at the reopened Garden, if he’s annoyed at the perception he was kept around because he’s J.R.’s brother.

“It bothers me a lot because I think people don’t really look at my talent, they just look at J.R. is here and he’s been here,” Chris Smith said. “I think if we weren’t brothers, there would be no recognition of me being his brother.

“Has it helped me? Of course. That’s my big brother. People look for us to be together all the time. People look for us together. So he has helped me a lot. He’s helped me offensively, and I feel like I’m pretty good on defense because I’ve had to guard him growing up.

“I feel like I earned my position on the team and I’m going to keep on earning my way here.”

One agent told The Post this week if the Knicks kept Smith, the NBA should look into the situation as the maneuver could be against the spirit of the collective bargaining agreement.

When Chris Smith hired his brother’s agent, CAA’s Leon Rose, in the spring and fired Marc Cornstein, The Post reported the brothers’ free agency was seen in some league circles as “a package deal.”

Meanwhile, Tyler had foot surgery in early September, and is not expected back until late November — at the earliest. For two straight days, Woodson said the Knicks would not kick Tyler “to the curb,’’ and he may not have been lying despite the player’s release Friday.

Woodson said the club is “keeping an eye’’ on Tyler, whose rights are owned by the D-League’s Santa Cruz franchise. Woodson said Tyler could be “four, five weeks away, maybe longer’’ from playing.

“We told him we’d like for him to go to the D-League and keep tabs on him,’’ Woodson said. “We’re still interested in him down the road, based on how he plays.’’

Tyler’s agent, John Baker, said he hopes his client can rehab his foot at the Knicks’ facilities. But first the Knicks’ D-League affiliate in Erie, Pa., would have to work out a deal with Santa Cruz, according to a source.

That way, Tyler can play rehab games in Erie instead of Santa Cruz and then sign. At that point, the Knicks could choose to cut center Cole Aldrich instead of Chris Smith.

Aldrich, a former lottery pick, survived the cut despite an up-and-down preseason, as did combo guard Toure’ Murry, who had a brilliant preseason.

Woodson said Aldrich was kept over the impressive Diogu because he was younger and more of a center than the Nigerian.

Chris Smith, a DNP in the last two preseason games, said fans on Twitter “have been coming at me’’ and feels they “overlook’’ his having played on Louisville’s Final Four team.

Woodson wouldn’t address the brother factor Friday, saying only that Chris Smith is “a young player that needs D-League seasoning.

“The bottom line is he’s on our team,’’ Woodson added. “We made a commitment to him. When you make a commitment to a young player, you got to develop him.’’

After Chris Smith tore his patellar tendon during last training camp, the Knicks cut him but rehabbed him the entire season.

“He hasn’t had enough reps for us to realize if he’s going to be a player,’’ Woodson said. ‘We don’t know yet. If he doesn’t pan out, things happen.’’

Smith is expected to spend much of the season getting playing time in Erie. Smith has an unique clause in his pact that his contract becomes fully guaranteed on opening night. Most minimum deals don’t get guaranteed until the Jan. 5 deadline. Hence, the Knicks could cut Smith in December when Tyler is healthy and he still would get all his money.

“It’s a great opportunity for myself,’’ Smith said. “[The brother talk] just fuels more hunger to my fire.’’

Do you agree with the cuts?

Ike Diogu should have stuck I feel very bad for him ,its evident he outplayed his competition by far except for Murry...right now I have to question Woodson decisions more so than ever before hope his days is numbered with NY. ....bet the Knicks could have used Diogu hustle and brawnbruising friday night against North Carolina...the man is fearless in the paint......man I`m so disappointed in this lost even though its preseason!

Whatever, 15th man isnt that big of a deal. all im concerned about is the core plus toure murray and us keeping jeremy tyler waiting on US and not anyone else. Chris Smith with be gone by January....the kid was good in college but he had to learn how to walk again...its been a tough road for him....grunnie did the best he could..anyone who disagrees with the Bargs move should look at it again from another angle. Hes a former number 1 pick...hes got more game in his thumb than camby and novak entirely. that being said..i hate james dolan...i dont know why he would do that to grunnie after he made them relevant...he'll never sell either so i hope he dies lol..just kidding...maybe im not but i am feeling like its a little unfair with some of the decisions he makes. The knicks had way less talent last year...they had heart though. So lets see what they can do this year with a younger squad.

This was an insult to avid Knick fans who love their team. Chris Smith has never shown NBA caliber talent and Cole Aldrich is not much better. The bad chemistry on this team could sink them. Bargs is too slow, out of shape and has no inside game. Mello will have to be a superstar every night and Chandler cannot go down if this team is to play above .500. Ominous start to the season. Maybe they shouldn't have made the court brighter after all.

This is a disgrace,and non sense decision.-Sorry coach Woody you are losing the control of the team and making bad decisions in and out the games.-You became a monky of the organization,be careful and dont

play with the fans,you coud be next to be out.- I'm very upset the way you are acting latetly with the team,respect for a family and nothig for the fans,are we chop liver ?? ALBI

I'm sorry,Respect to JR. Smith!! now we have his undeserving brother make the team?Wow ,what about respect to the fans who deserve better than this B.S.Remember when Patrick Ewings' son got cut ,There was no talk about respect for Pat, and he was a Knick Legend.Now we cut a young talented big man in Jeremy Tyler, for this clown, because he is related to another clown on our team!!and to top it off, we have to foot the bill !!! This shi----t is pathetic!!!and Woodson is ridiculous !!!!

This was the straw. After decades of this POS team/owner/management I am through. This camel's back is broken. I wish the Knicks nothing but the worst. F*** you, and thanks for wasting so much of my time and passion.

this is all because that tool dolan got rid of grumwald mills for sure is a moron how can you possibly take chris smith over any of those guys??? i would take douglas roberts over chris smith diogu and tyler both should have stayed hopefully they can find a way to bring tyler back later on

This is a travesty. If the Knicks don't have some type of plan/arrangement to cut ChrisSmith after the season starts so he can collect a salary and pick Tyler back up, then this is a disgrace and an insult to fans.

There needs to be a big change with the Knicks mgt., not just with Woodson... even better if someone else purchase the team. What will it take for the Knicks fans to get fed up with the Knicks mgt., for Isiah Thomas to come back maybe??

Knicks once again fail to deliver, this constant bad decisions will set as back. Knicks, you have to keep it fair to the once that have played better during the tryout.It was Diogu and Tyler who did very well. I really like Tyler because of his upside and age. He's a keeper and is only 22 years old. Knicks F***K *P again. OMG !!

Are you really going to let THIS be the last straw? Lol. I agree with you. It's hard to stay so loyal to a team that makes moves this embarrassing. That being said, I'm saving my last straw for something better than Chris Smith.

@opaque/81b8fc1c-3416-11e3-b2d9-000bcdcb2996 Yes. I have had it up to here(!). Every year that passes I ask "Why the hell do I do this to myself? ..." I love basketball, hell, I love the NBA, but that's what I am now; an NBA fan. To Hell with the Knicks.